Brighton Hill Community School

Music

Students may choose to study AQA GCSE Music from year 9, this is delivered over one double and one single lesson per week.

Course Description:The AQA GCSE music course is designed to develop four core skills; composing, performing, listening and appraising. Students also study a wide variety of genres: Western Classical tradition since 1910, Traditional World Music and The Western Classical Tradition 1650-1910. Students are taught to compose music using technology and explore the following strands through the four core skills:

Students learn to compose music and produce recordings through a range of music technology, including a multi-tracker, Sibelius and Audacity.Assessments will take place every half term, and can be performance, composition or listening and appraising practice papers

Assessment / Examination Structure:

Performing Music [controlled assessment] 30%

Composing Music [controlled assessment] 30%

Listening and Appraising [examination] 40%

GCSE students are expected to join a school ensemble or form a band in order to enrich their learning and improve their GCSE ensemble performance coursework. Year 11 students are expected to attend regular ‘Zone’ sessions whereby students can spend more time on GCSE music projects or revise for the listening and appraising exam. GCSE music students will also have the opportunity to showcase their exam work through performance and production evenings.

Music at Key Stage 3Students in Year 7 and 8 will study music within one 50 minute timetabled lesson per week.

Students will have the opportunity to learn about many different genres of music, including: popular music, world music, music for film, opera & musicals, and western classical music including music composed in the 20th Century.

Assessments will take place every half term, and will focus on composing, performing, listening and appraising music.

Solo, pair and group work will allow students to express themselves through composition and develop the confidence to perform in front of an audience. Compositions and performances are recorded regularly and used for self and peer assessment and evaluation.

Students in year 7 and 8 can apply to receive instrumental or vocal tuition by submitting an application form, signed by parents/guardians, to the Head of Music. There are many reasons for taking up a musical instrument or learning to sing. A range of extra-curricular activities run on a weekly basis and all students are encouraged to attend. Belonging to a band or ensemble brings together students with similar tastes and age.